Portable ice up-ending machine



May 24, 1932. F* M. AlMr-:s

I PORTABLE ICE 11F-ENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l w w. m, MMQAM wm NVENTOR .w

ATTORNEYS May 24, 1932. F M, MES 1,859,487

Y PORTABLE ICE UP-ENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1950` v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR BYAWJJQM ATTORNEYS M ay 24, 1932. F. M, AIMEs PORTABLE ICE UP- ENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS May 24, 1932.

F. M. AIMEs Y 1,859,487

PORTABLE ICE UP- ENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1950 5 ShetS-*Sheet 4 l By,mds@.-

ATTORNEYS May 24, 1932. F. M. Ames PORTABLE ICE UP-ENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 v INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED STATE-s PATEisirv OFFICE,` n

FRANCIS M. AIRIES, OF HUDSON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO `GrIIEFORD-WOOD COMPANY,

F HUDSON, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION OF yYORK i `POLRT'BLE! ICE UIP-ENDING MACHINE Application filed August 19, 1930. Serial No. 476,336.

This invention relates to portable ice upending machines, that is, machines for turning' commercial ice cakes from an on edge7 position to a position on end. i

Among other objects, the invention `aims to provide a very simple machine for automatically Lip-ending ice cakes which may be used with a minimum of labor on the part of the attendant and which may be easily transportedto different parts of'an ice plant, yet may rest immovably at any desired point on the fioor of the plant. The present invention also provides a machine which is set very close to the floor line so that a minimum of labor is necessary to supply it with ice cakes tol be up-ended. The machine of the invention is particularly useful in conjunction with one or more ice scoring-machines, but may be used at any place where up-ending of the cakes is advantageous. I

Referring to thev accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and showing a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the up-ending machine;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 but on a larger scale;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section substantiallyl on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 but on a larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section substantially on the linevi-Li of Fig. 1 but on a larger scale;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section substantially on the line 55 of Fig. l but on a larger scale;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 1 but on a larger scale;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the discharge chute, the section line being indicated at 7-7 of Fig. 1 but on a larger scale;

Fig. 8 is a` simplified wiring diagram showing the motor control;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectionsubstantially on line 9-9 of Fig.v 1 but on a larger scale; and Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating, as in side elevation, the manner in which the up-ending of the cakes is performed.

In the drawings, the reference numeral designates the frame ork chassis of the machine and 16 designates an upright yoke secured to the frame 15 at one end and forming a part thereof, the yoke being suiciently wide to permit ice cakes to passtherethrough when standing on end and presented edgewise. Theframe 15 andV 16 is preferably -made up of angle bars, as shown, which may be welded together to form a strong structure for supporting the workingl parts of the machine.

The preferred machine is of the ambulad tory type and hence-is provided with a pair of wheels 17 at one end of the frame 15 and a pair of swiv'eled casters 18 at the opposite end. Said casters are provided so that the machine` may be supported by other means providing temporary legs preventing movement of the machine when in use, as will be described. Fig. l shows the casters l8`s11pported` off the floor so Vthat the machine is temporarily immovable. t. Y

To facilitate feeding and discharge ofVV the ice cake, a slide or chutel19 is at one end of the machine, and a similar slide or chute 20 is at the other end. .Both chutes are chan nel-shaped (Figs. 2 and 7) and have a width but slightly exceeding the thickness of a standard ice cake, each chute being` in alinement Vwith the longitudinal aX-is of the ma.- chine, thus facilitating unidirectional movement of the ice` cakes through the machine. The chute 19 extends fromV a-point restingon the iioor upwardly at a slight angle to a point between the large wheels 17. At the upper endgof chute 19, a roller 2l (Figs. 2 and 3) may be provided, said roller being mounted on a shaft 22 extending transversely of theV machine. After the center of gravity of the ice cake has passed the roller 21, the cake tilts and moves downwardly on inclined gui-des 23 formed of angle bars, best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, said angle bars being rigidly secured to the frame 15 and providing two spaced.

vertical flanges for engagement with the opposite faces of the ice cake to prevent lateral movement thereof. Thel angles 23 provide a downwardly inclined support for the ice cake Vwhich rests on edge immediately before being turned to an on end position by the machine. It will be noted that the angles 23 are` in alinement with the chutes 19 and y20 and have their flanges spaced apartthe same distance as the vertical flanges of the chutes. Movement of the ice cakes down guides v23 Y 35, said sprocket being Vveyor comprises Y vshifting on its lower end as tical or on end position,

operation,

past a certain point is prevented by a stop to be described.

In the illustrative machine, the 11p-ending operation is performed by means of a chain conveyor comprising a pair of chains 24 having a flight 25 (Figs. 2 and 9) secured to and extending between them. The two chains 24 lie in spaced vertical planes extending longitudinally of the machine on each side of the path of the cake so that the ice cake may move freely between them without interference. However, the flight 25 is so guided by the chains 24 that it may engage under the ice cake when resting oni the supports 23, the point of engagement being at the end of the cake nearest the chute 19 and the result, as shown in Fig. 1 0, being to lift and turn the cake about the end (which rests against the above-mentioned stop, adjacent the chute 20), finally placing the up-ended cake at the receiving "endof chute 20. In order to effect this result, the chains'24 areeach guided by at least three sprockets 26, 27 and 28, vthe sprocket-s 26 and 27 being idler sprockets mounted on the frame 15, 16 and the sprockets 28 being drive sprockets, as will-be described. Preferably, the sprockets 26 are made adjustable to take up slack in the chains, there being an adjustment screw 29 for each Vsprocket 26. Preferably the sprocket 26 and associated parts yare mounted on upright frame members 3() secured to the frame 15. The means for driving the flight' cona motor 31 (Figs. 1 and 2) mounted on the frame, ,a speed reducer unit 32, a sprocket 33 driven from the speed reducer, a sprocket chain 34 .driving a ysprocket secured on shaft`22 to which the sprockets 28 are also secured, as Vbest shown in Fig. 3. By means of switches 'to be described, the motor is started and stopped and eects movement of the flight 25 upwardly in an inclined path between the sprockets 28 and the sprockets 26 and then horizontally between the sprockets 26 and 27, finally pushing the 11p-ended cake on the upper end of chute 20. l

Before the ice cake is tilted by thejflight 25, its forwardend abuts a stop 36 preferably in the' form of a curved plate, as shown in Figs.,1, 2y and 4. V Upward lifting onY one end of the cake causes the lower end resting against stop 36 to move over the curved surface of said stop as an axis or fulcrum,thecake it nears the verfinally standing on end on the chute 20. This process is clearly illustrated 'in Fig. 10. In the up-ending the cake is prevented from moving laterally by means of longitudinally extending guides 37, preferably curved as shown in Fig. 1, and secured to the upright frame members 16 and 30 and also, if desired, to other 'intermediate uprights 38. The guides 37 may extend so far as to overhang the chutes 19 natalie? and 2O respectively, as shown, and in this event, `their ends are supported by braces 39 and 40 at the opposite ends of the machine.

While the motor could be operated by means of a hand switch, it is vpreferred to 1 make the operation of the machine entirely automatic and this is accomplished in the illustrative example by means of a switch constructed. and arranged rto be closed as soon as the ice yis on the supports 23 so as to vstart the conveyor,'togetherwith a limit switch stopping the conveyor after the ice cake has been up-ended. Referring to Figs. 1, 2v and 6, there is shown a pivoted yoke 41 having a central portion 42 which the lower edge o each ice cake engages, so as to move the yoke 41 downwardlyto the position ofFig. 6. The downward movement of yoke 41 closes a switch 43 whichas showninFig. 8, controls the circuit of the motor 31 through a. relay 44. The conductors 45 leading to the motor 31 are connected through the Yrelay 44 witha contact block 46 (Figs. 1 and 8) providing convenient means for making an electrical connection with aV cable (not` shown) containing the leads 47. The cable maybe of anyvr convenient length so as toconnect the machine with the source of electrical supply, irrespective of the position ofthe VVmachine intheplant. j,..i .X

After the conveyor has up-endedthe ice cake, the conveyor continues to move vuntil the flight 25 is put in position to engagek with thesucceeding icecake on the under edge thereof. To effect stoppage of the motor and conveyor, alimit switch 48 has a movable arm 49 (Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 9,) in the path of flight l25. Then the flight 25l engages ythe arm 49,

the motor circuit is broken yand ythe motor and conveyor quickly stopped. Thus the machine starts `the up-ending operation asA soon as an ice cake is in the proper. position'and effects stoppage of the conveyor rwhen the flight is substantially in position to engage the succeeding cake of ice, and when it is entirely out of the way of the succeeding cake. Y l ,p f

As the machine is designed to be portable, the vchutes 19 and 2O are preferably pivoted to the opposite ends of the frame 15, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Each chute may be swung upwardly nearly to a vertical position and latched by means ofa latch 50, 51,'*each latch being pivoted on one of the guides 37. Each chute may havev a laterally projecting pin 52I (Figs. 1 and 7) with which the corresponding latchmay engage. I Iowever, the particular chute-latching means is ofno importance. j

In order to support the machine o5 the casters 18 so that themachine may be immovable, shoes 53 are provided, as shownin Figs. 1, 4 and 5. The shoes 53 are pivoted eccentrically on a transverse shaft 54 and preferably are rigidly secured to the chute 2O in feo- CII

such a manner as'to 'effect raising of the. inachine vofi the .casters 18 when the chute`20 is lowered into Contact with the fioor. However, when the chute 20 is swungupwardly into the dotted line position of Fig. 1, the shoes 53, being-swung in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, are clear of the floor because of their shape and the casters 18 are lowered into contact therewith. Then the machine may be moved from place to place bythe operator, the swiveled casters facilitating guiding of the machine byhand.

Obviously, the present invention is not re stricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described.` Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly, since they may be employed advantageously.in-various combinations and sub-combinations.

`What I claim is 1. Anice up-ending machine comprising, in combination, a frame providing a` downwardly inclined stationary support for the ice cakes on edge; a stop carried on the Vframe at the lower end of said downwardly inclined support; and motor-driven means on .the frame engaging' under the bottom edge of the ice cake when on said support to lift the higher end of the cake upwardly and to turn it through an arc of o about the stop as an axis until it stands on end.

2. An ice up-ending machine comprising, in. combination, a frame providing a downwardly inclined stationary support for the ice cakes on edge, a stop carried on the frame at the lower end of said downwardly inclined support, and a power' driven endless chain conveyor on the frame having al Hight engagingunder the bottom edge of the ice cake when on said support to lift the higher end of the cake upwardly and to turn it through an arc of 90 about the stop as an axis until it stands on end.

3. An ice up-ending machine comprising, in combination, a frame providing a downwardly inclined support for the ice cakes on edge, a stop carried on the frame at the lower end of said 'downwardly inclined support; an endless chain conveyor on the frame having a fight engaging under the bottom edge of the icc cake when on said support to lift the higher end of the cake upwardly and to turn it about the stop as an airis until it stands on end; said conveyor comprising two chains with the ight extending between them; and sprockets for guiding, driving and supporting the chain conveyor, there being three of said sprockets on each side of the machine so that each chain is generally triangular in elevation; the flight when lifting the cakes moving upwardly in an inclined path and then substantially horizontally.

t. An ice Lip-ending machine comprising, in combination, a frame providing a stationary support for the ice cakes on edge; an end- -edgel to on end;

lesschain conveyor on the frame having a fiight whose path at one point is underneath and at one end of the cake when supported on the frame; said conveyor guiding and driving the flight so asto lift and turn the ice cake through an arcof 90 from on edge77 to on end; and a chute arranged to receive and ldischarge the ice cakes after the up-ending operation.

5. An icev 11p-ending machine comprising,4

in combination, a frame providing a stationary support for the ice cakes on edge; an endless chain conveyor on the frame having a flight whose path at one point is underneath and at one end of the cake when supported on the frame; said conveyor guiding and driving the fiig'ht sogas to lift andturn the ice cake throughan arc of 90 from on edge to on end; a slide for guiding the ice cakes, when pushed on edge?, to al position on the support, and a chute receiving and discharging the ice cakes after the tip-ending operation.

fthe ice cakes on edge;r an endless chain `conveyor on the frame having a flight whose Ipath at onepoint is underneath and at one en-d of the caire when supported on the frame; said conveyor so asi to lift and turn the ice-cake from on a slide for guiding the ice cakes, when pushed on edge, to a position on the support; and a chute receiving and discharging the ice cakes after the Lip-ending position; the slide and the chute being at opposite ends ofthe Vsupport so that the ice cakes may move uni-directionally, and being hinged thereto so that both may be folded Vwhen the machine is being moved about. i

a switch in the motor circuit and carried onthe frame and so constructed and arranged that it is closed by an ice cake when positioned on the frame for turning; and a limit switch Aalso in the motor circuit constructed and ar-A ranged to stop the motor after the ice cake is 11p-ended. l

8. An ice up-ending machine comprising, in combination, a frame providing a support for the ice cakes on edge;` an endless chain conveyor on the frame having a flight whose l path at one point is underneath and at one end ot the cake when supported on the frame gsaid conveyor guiding and driving the flight so as to lift and turn the ice cake from on edge to on end; a motor for driving said conveyor;

6. An ice Lip-ending machine comprising, in combination, a frameprovlding a support for guiding and drivingfthe flight Va switch in the motor circuit and carried on the frame and so constructed and arranged that it is closed by an ice cake when positioned on the frame for turning; and a limit switch also in the motor'circuit and carried on the frame with a part projecting in the path of the flight so as to be actuated by the flight to stop the motor after the ice cake is up-ended.

9.' An ice up-ending machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a power driven conveyor on the frame having means so guided that it engages under a cake on edge at one end thereof and lifts the cake to an on end position; achute for the discharge'of the up-ended cakes which is hinged to the frame; and means moved by swinging the chute to project below the frame to provide eectively a pair of legs for the machine. Y K

10. An ice up-ending machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a power driven conveyor on the frame having means so guided that it engagesnnder a cake on edge at one y end thereof and lifts the cake to an on end position; a chute forthe discharge of the upendedV cakes which is hinged to .the frame; a pair of wheels at one end of the frame; a pair of casters adjacent the hinge of the chute; and means moved by swinging the chute to project below the frame to provide ei'ectively a. pair of legs for the machine; said vmeanslowering the machineto rest on the A casters when the chute is swung upwardly.

11. An ice up-ending machine comprising, in combination, a frame providing a support for the iceV cakes on edge; an endless chain conveyor on the frame having a flight whose 'path at one point is underneath and aty one end of the cake when supported on the frame;

said conveyor guiding and driving the Hight so as to lift and turn the rice cake from on edge to on end7; a slide for guiding the Vice cakes, when pushed on edge, to a position on the support; a chute receiving and discharging the ice cakes after the up-ending position; the slide and the chute being at opposite ends of the support so that the ice cakes may move uni-directionally, and being hinged thereto so that both may be folded when the machine is being moved about; guides for the ice cake during the Lip-ending operation; said guides being secured rigidly to and extending longitudinally of the frame.

l2. An ice 11p-ending machine comprising, in combination, a frame providing a support for the ice cakes'on edge; an endless chain conveyor on the frame having a flight whose jpath at one point is underenath and at one end of the cake when supported on the frame; said conveyor guiding and driving the flight so that the flight unaided lifts and turns the ice cake through an arc of 90 from on edge to on end; an abutment providing a fulcrum forthe ice cake when so turned; a chute arranged to receive and discharge the ice Y cakes after the up-ending operation; and

curved guides extending longitudinally of and secured to the frame to prevent substantial lateral movement of the ice cakes during up-ending and when moved onto the chute.

13. An ice-up-ending machine comprising; in combination; a frame providing a support for the ice cakes on edge; an endless chain conveyor on the frame having a liight whose path at one point is underneath and at one `end of the cake when supported on the frame; said conveyor guiding and driving the flight so that the flight ice cake, when abutted againsta iiXed member providing a fulcrurn, through an arc o 90 from on edge to on end.`

Intestimony that I claim the-foregoing as my own, Ivhave hereto afliXed my'signature.

FRANCIS M. AIMEs.

unaided lifts and turns the 

